Congressmen would buy a small ticket item, like a pack of gum or book of stamps, at the House Post Office, write the cashier a check for hundreds/thousands of dollars, then pocket the change. The checks were never cashed, and the taxpayers refilled the till.
That was so long ago, now why did that event pop into my head? Maybe because a made-up coin that never circulates has the same value as a check you never cash - none. And anyone who makes money based on the value of either one is A CROOK.
Forgot about that but thanks for the reminder. Didn’t many of them write hot checks also?